Good hedging plants

The best wildlife hedges consist of a mix of native broad-leaved species that are allowed to grow tall (180 cm or so) and thick. If you have space, plant a double staggered row with about 15 to 20 cm between the rows and 30 to 35 cm between the plants. Use a mix of native varieties such as hawthorn, field maple, hornbeam or hazel, plus beech on lighter soils. Add interest with an occasional guelder rose, spindle or wild rose.

You can also create valuable ornamental hedges with non-native shrubs such as Berberis. The species listed below are a good source of nectar and also good for nesting birds.

	Height (cm)	Spread (cm)	Sun or shade	Soil	Habit	Management/notes
Native shrubs
Field maple Acer campestre	180	90			D	Prune or coppice in winter
Hazel Corylus avellana	240	150			D	Coppice
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus	200	60		heavy	D	Prune in August; coppice
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna	120 - 240	60			D	Clip in August/coppice
Beech Fagus sylvatica	200	60		light	D	Prune in August
Holly Ilex aquifolium	9	12			E	Prune in August, coppice
Sweet briar Rosa rubiginosa	150	60			D	Prune in winter
Yew Taxus baccata	200	8			E	Clip/prune in August; poisonous to livestock
Non-native shrubs
Berberis darwinii	180	120			E	Prune in April
Berberis julianae	180	120			E	Prune in April
Berberis x stenophylla	180	120			E	Clip/prune in April
Cotoneaster simonsii	150	90			Semi	Prune in winter
Privet Ligustrum vulgare	150	150			Semi	Prune in March; trim in August if necessary
Firethorn Pyracantha rogersiana	150	120			E	Prune in April
Sun or shade: = sun; = semi-shade; = shade
Habit: D = deciduous; E = evergreen; Semi = semi-evergreen